Mactan

Coordinates: 10°18′N 123°58′E / 10.300°N 123.967°E / 10.300; 123.967
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Mactan
Visayan (Cebuano
) and other ethnic groups.

Mactan is a densely populated island located a few kilometers (~1 mile) east of

Cebu province and it is divided into the city of Lapu-Lapu and the municipality of Cordova. The island is separated from Cebu by the Mactan Channel which is presently crossed by three bridges: the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), the Mactan–Mandaue Bridge, and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. The island covers some 65 square kilometres (25 sq mi) and has a population of 527,071 as of 2020,[1] making it the nation's most densely populated island. Along with Olango Island Group
, the isles are administered by a city and a municipality covering 75.25 square kilometres (29.05 sq mi).

Mactan–Cebu International Airport is located on the island.

Etymology

See also:
Lapu-Lapu

The modern name Mactan descended from an earlier form, Manctan. However, evidence of this earlier form is scant as, even as early as the 17th century, the island was already named Mactan. This form is attested in the original copy of the

Lapu-Lapu in 1961).[3]

History

The island was already a thriving settlement before it was colonized by Spain in the 16th century. It was a strong ally of the Lakanate of Lawan, a prosperous kingdom in Samar. Datu Hadi Iberein ruled the Lakanate of Lawan. He was described by historian William Henry Scott as a "Samar datu by the name of Iberein was rowed out to a Spanish vessel anchored in his harbor in 1543 by oarsmen collared in gold; while wearing on his own person earrings and chains."

Lapu-Lapu, the sovereign in the island. However, oral tradition also dictates that the island where the Battle of Mactan might have taken place in is Poro Island in the northeast instead.[citation needed] The oral tradition is backed by recent[when?] archaeological evidence of such a battle taking place in Poro island during the 16th century.[citation needed
]

By 1730[

city of Lapu-Lapu by means of the Republic Act 3134, signed by Pres. Carlos P. Garcia on June 17, 1961. Congressman Manuel A. Zosa, the representative of the Sixth District of Cebu, sponsored the Bill converting the former municipality of Opon into the present day City of Lapu-Lapu.[4]

Economy

Apart from the airport, today the island is known for its industrial factories, which are some of the most successful industrial ventures in the Philippines. Many of them are located at the Mactan

Export Processing Zone
(MEPZ), an industrial tax-free zone opened in 1979 that includes over 35 business ventures, about 50 percent of which are Japanese-owned.

Also important to the island is its high-class tourism industry and the production of furniture, as well as guitars, ukuleles and other musical instruments.

On April 27, 2024, Marcos with Junard Chan, led the capsule-laying for Megaworld Corporation's PHP1.5-billion Mactan Expo Center project.[5]

Tourist attractions

Being one of the major tourist islands of Cebu, Mactan Island boasts of a diverse collection of tourist spots and attractions. Being a coral island, Mactan offers some of the best diving, snorkeling, island hopping, jet ski, sailing and cultural activities of any island in the Philippines.

Gallery

  • A view from a resort in Mactan where the sun is directly overhead at noon.
    A view from a resort in Mactan where the sun is directly overhead at noon.
  • A crab in a sea anemone in Mactan
    A crab in a sea anemone in Mactan
  • Mactan beach
    Mactan beach
  • An Arothron stellatus in Mactan
    An Arothron stellatus in Mactan
  • A Cephea jellyfish at Mactan
    A Cephea jellyfish at Mactan

References

  1. ^ "PHILIPPINES: Administrative Division".
  2. ^ Acta de la proclamación de la independencia del pueblo Filipino (in English and Spanish) from Wikisource.
  3. ^ Celestino C. Macachor (2011). "Searching for Kali in the Indigenous Chronicles of Jovito Abellana". Rapid Journal. 10 (2). Archived from the original on July 3, 2012.
  4. ^ "Dr Who and Mexicans". Lindsey Michelle Susdorf "Future Dating Political Documents".
  5. ^ Saavedra, John Rey (April 27, 2024). "Young arnis practitioners reenact Lapulapu victory in Mactan". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved April 27, 2024.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mactan.

10°18′N 123°58′E / 10.300°N 123.967°E / 10.300; 123.967

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